Packers Bears Preview

The Packers travel to the Windy City Monday night for what is being heralded by many as the game of the week. The Bears are off to a fast 2-0 start in which they have shocked the League by unveiling one of the most explosive offense's in the league under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The Bears have posted wins against the Lions and the Cowboys, the latter being more impressive as they went into Cowboys stadium and put on a show through the air with Jay Cutler completing 72% of his passes and throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers. Part of the reason for the aerial display is that Matt Forte hasn't been successful running the ball totaling only 79 yards on 29 carries thus far. The defense once again has been a cornerstone for Chicago; they held an explosive Dallas offense out of the end zone in the second half of last Sunday's win. The run defense has been like a brick wall through two games giving up a meager 56 yards on 41 carries, which spells trouble for Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn come Monday. Julius Peppers an off-season addition by the Bears has lived up to the billing as he's applied constant pressure both on the Lions and Cowboys.

Green Bay has not lacked explosion either so far this year. Aaron Rodgers improved last week against a depleted Buffalo defense and will hopefully continue to roll against a poor Bears secondary, one that is currently ranked 27th in the league. Although a bright spot for the Bears will be D.J. Moore, a second year man out of Vanderbilt who picked off Tony Romo twice last week, who may spy Jennings or Driver for most of the game. The missing piece though looks like it’s finally been found for the Packers and that’s the group on the defensive side of the ball. The third best pass defense in the league will create an interesting matchup for Cutler's right arm. Charles Woodson has started relatively quiet but not necessarily unproductive; he's played very well in coverage and will switch between Johnny Knox and speedster Devin Hester throughout the night. This is all assuming Cutler can even get rid of the ball. Clay Matthews has put up 6 sacks so far and is not showing any signs of slowing up going up against an offensive line that has already allowed 5 sacks in two games.

The Bears have been much better than expected so far this year while the Packers have played up to expectations, which makes this game so interesting. Not only that, but it is also one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. No matter the records each team gives their best games to each other, this one will be no exception being on the biggest football stage of the week. Jay Cutler enters the game as the number one rated passer in the league; Clay Matthews leads the league in sacks. This game is surely going to be a battle. Look for Jermichael Finley to have a big game considering he'll get favorable match ups with less agile linebackers from Chicago. As long as the Packers can implement some kind of running attack, the passing lanes will open up and the Packers will take advantage with the pinpoint accuracy of Aaron Rodgers. Although I personally believe both defenses are going to be impressive in front of a nation of football watchers, my prediction is that the Packers roll into Chicago and ruin a happy homecoming by the skin of their teeth. Packers-20 Bears-17